To be honest, I was never quite sure what to make of this novel. Part of me hated it - I couldn't stand Chinaski, hated the way he treated women, and didn't even like the women he dealt with. On other hand, it was really, really well written, and I found myself suspecting more than once that my reaction to the whole thing was probably part of the point. There were even moments where I began to wonder how much of what ran through Chinaski's head was actually just reflecting off of the collective cynicism of our society, and was being focused through a man who had no idea how to handle it when place in the real situations.

Ultimately, I found myself pulled forward, inexorably reading on and on and on until I got to the end, and sat wondering about the fate of Chinaski. I think I may have to go back to the earlier books (like Post Office) and see where he comes from. I wonder how that will change my perception of things?